| I have to admit I think this expanded WC format has worked 20:39 - Jul 2 with 2771 views | GeoffSentence |
I thought it was a terrible idea when it was announced, but as the group stage was simply an exercise in weeding out the worst 16 teams the group games were much more open than normal, and with the competition proper really starting with knockout games it's been a recipe for good attacking football by and large. |  |
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| I have to admit I think this expanded WC format has worked on 20:49 - Jul 2 with 2067 views | suffolkpoker |
I think it’s crap. Seeing games like Suadi vs Spain is pointless in a WC finals |  |
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| I have to admit I think this expanded WC format has worked on 20:50 - Jul 2 with 2068 views | redrickstuhaart |
Disagree.
It has turned out umpteen games in which I have had no real interest. Either between non entities, or ones with a foregone conclusion. Most evenings I have looked at whats on and thought, nahhh. |  |
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| I have to admit I think this expanded WC format has worked on 20:57 - Jul 2 with 2022 views | rkc123 |
| I have to admit I think this expanded WC format has worked on 20:50 - Jul 2 by redrickstuhaart |
Disagree.
It has turned out umpteen games in which I have had no real interest. Either between non entities, or ones with a foregone conclusion. Most evenings I have looked at whats on and thought, nahhh. |
Some of those final group games could have been fantastic if it was just the top 2 going through, the 8 out of 12 third place finishes going through as well absolutely killed the group phase. I think they would be better just going all the way up to 64 teams now they have gone away from 32 (and are unlikely to go back to it), yes there would be a crazy number of groups, but at least the groups would have some proper jeopardy. | | | |
| I have to admit I think this expanded WC format has worked on 21:16 - Jul 2 with 1946 views | MVBlue |
I think on balance at this cup it has worked and theres been massive full stadiums. The fun of Cape Verde and Scotland has certainly added something too. But the panini or Adrenaline XL cardset
collections for the kids are insane. Its not all elite players but the fun is definitely there. Amusing to have 3 hosts as well |  |
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| I have to admit I think this expanded WC format has worked on 21:16 - Jul 2 with 1944 views | MattinLondon |
In my opinion it’s been a great WC and I’ve really enjoyed it.
Some people seem determined to find fault in it which is strange. |  | | |
| I have to admit I think this expanded WC format has worked on 21:22 - Jul 2 with 1925 views | fabian_illness |
I think it detracts from the elite nature of the World Cup.
And its dragging on a bit now.
Not for me. |  | | |
| I have to admit I think this expanded WC format has worked on 21:28 - Jul 2 with 1894 views | Illinoisblue |
It’s been a relentless slog of two or three games every day. Hard to recall a time before the World Cup. Will miss it when it’s gone. But… multi-host sites should never happen again. Keep it in one country only. |  |
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| I have to admit I think this expanded WC format has worked on 21:33 - Jul 2 with 1875 views | vapour_trail |
It’s been a brilliant World Cup to date. Football fans who look at it and don’t fancy it because they’re not familiar with the teams or players I think are fcking weird.
The third place thing is flawed however. There’s a lack of equity there for the teams that play earlier. Needs working out ahead of 2030. |  |
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| You're gonna love the next one mate! (n/t) on 21:36 - Jul 2 with 1861 views | Bloots |
| I have to admit I think this expanded WC format has worked on 21:28 - Jul 2 by Illinoisblue |
It’s been a relentless slog of two or three games every day. Hard to recall a time before the World Cup. Will miss it when it’s gone. But… multi-host sites should never happen again. Keep it in one country only. |
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| I have to admit I think this expanded WC format has worked on 21:38 - Jul 2 with 1851 views | Swansea_Blue |
From the little I’ve seen, the group games have involved a good team trying to break down the low block of a plucky smaller team. I suppose there’s some underdog interest in that, but it doesn’t feel like the tournament has started properly yet. |  |
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| I have to admit I think this expanded WC format has worked on 22:14 - Jul 2 with 1731 views | GlasgowBlue |
| I have to admit I think this expanded WC format has worked on 20:49 - Jul 2 by suffolkpoker |
I think it’s crap. Seeing games like Suadi vs Spain is pointless in a WC finals |
Having to repeat myself. Saudi have qualified for 7 of the last 9 World Cup finals under the old system. Including the last two in Qatar and Russia. |  |
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| I have to admit I think this expanded WC format has worked on 22:21 - Jul 2 with 1697 views | LeoMuff |
Too many poor match ups how many Scotland Haiti , Bosnia Qatar etc can there be ? There must be 10 or more in groups stages and even 2 or 3 in the last 32. |  |
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| I have to admit I think this expanded WC format has worked on 22:35 - Jul 2 with 1644 views | Nutkins_Return |
I don't think it has enhanced it at all but equally think the format is ok and given some other teams a platform and an opportunity. So a bit on the fence.
I think the running of it from a commercial point of view is an absolute disgrace. I can't for the life of me understand why there isn't more outrage. The price to go is horrific and everything attached to it squeezed for as much profit as humanely possible. Awful but sadly very modern American.
Where credit is due is how it seems fans have behaved and perhaps credit to America for some the hospitality and making it a good environment (except for the treatment of Iran and random visa issues for lots of people). I did wonder if 'thugs' had been priced out but that seems unlikely. | |
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| I have to admit I think this expanded WC format has worked on 22:36 - Jul 2 with 1646 views | bsw72 |
They weren’t the worst 16 teams, they were the 16 teams with supposedly the worst results in group stage yet how a team who went unbeaten in 3 matches can be out qualified by a team who lost 2 out of 3 games doesn’t seem right. Before anyone says it, I understand how a league works but usually any inequality in a league is evened out over a far longer period.
Basically the winners from expanding have been the broadcast companies and FIFA who have gained broadcast and advertising revenue from 40 more games than in WC22, while the quality of teams competing has been weakened. This has lead to too many games which ultimately had little value as teams pretty much knew that one big win would effectively secure at least a 3rd place finish, especially because of the head to head rule as well. [Post edited 2 Jul 22:38]
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| I have to admit I think this expanded WC format has worked on 23:01 - Jul 2 with 1552 views | armchaircritic59 |
I must admit it's better than I thought it would be. A few snooze worthy games for sure, but I can't ever remember a World Cup when there wasn't, with the more restricted entries. Even most of the law changes seem to be positive. But just one thing, please call time on " hydration breaks " when its 16c and overcast, as it was in Seattle for a match a couple of days or so ago. They need to agree on a certain temperature pitch side, and stick to it. Might even work in the UK given our increasingly hot summers! |  | | |
| I have to admit I think this expanded WC format has worked on 23:25 - Jul 2 with 1511 views | benrhyddingblue |
| I have to admit I think this expanded WC format has worked on 21:33 - Jul 2 by vapour_trail |
It’s been a brilliant World Cup to date. Football fans who look at it and don’t fancy it because they’re not familiar with the teams or players I think are fcking weird.
The third place thing is flawed however. There’s a lack of equity there for the teams that play earlier. Needs working out ahead of 2030. |
It really hasn’t. Too many meaningless games to get us to where the World Cup always gets to. Frankly I’ve been bored by by a lot of it. Nothing to do with ‘unfamiliar’ teams - that’s great if they are good enough to qualify. But many aren’t clearly not and we have a glorified and extended qualifying period waiting for the real tournament to begin. | | | |
| I have to admit I think this expanded WC format has worked on 23:52 - Jul 2 with 1472 views | mellowblue |
I have been pleasantly surprised. The group stages did not stretch out as long as I thought they would and doubling the knockout stages from 16 to 32 games has to be a plus. It has allowed a lot of smaller nations such as Cape Verde the chance to realize their dreams. | | | |
| I have to admit I think this expanded WC format has worked on 01:04 - Jul 3 with 1398 views | GlasgowBlue |
| I have to admit I think this expanded WC format has worked on 22:21 - Jul 2 by LeoMuff |
Too many poor match ups how many Scotland Haiti , Bosnia Qatar etc can there be ? There must be 10 or more in groups stages and even 2 or 3 in the last 32. |
Was Scotland Haiti a poor match up? Scotland only beat them with a deflected goal. | |
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| I have to admit I think this expanded WC format has worked on 03:27 - Jul 3 with 1330 views | SE1blue |
| I have to admit I think this expanded WC format has worked on 22:35 - Jul 2 by Nutkins_Return |
I don't think it has enhanced it at all but equally think the format is ok and given some other teams a platform and an opportunity. So a bit on the fence.
I think the running of it from a commercial point of view is an absolute disgrace. I can't for the life of me understand why there isn't more outrage. The price to go is horrific and everything attached to it squeezed for as much profit as humanely possible. Awful but sadly very modern American.
Where credit is due is how it seems fans have behaved and perhaps credit to America for some the hospitality and making it a good environment (except for the treatment of Iran and random visa issues for lots of people). I did wonder if 'thugs' had been priced out but that seems unlikely. |
I think there’s two reasons that this tournament has not taken a hammering on the pricing issue:
1. For two of the three countries it’s not a sport they would sell their unborn child to get to. Baseball, basketball, hockey and American football are the main sports in North America. Not getting a ticket to the football is not a major issue. Plus pricing is stupid for those sports too, so the host countries fans are used to it.
2. Fanfests are huge in North America and seen as a great alternative to not getting a ticket. So not many are outraged if they can’t go, because they can attend a fanfest. |  |
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| I have to admit I think this expanded WC format has worked on 06:01 - Jul 3 with 1253 views | melbs_itfc |
| I have to admit I think this expanded WC format has worked on 20:49 - Jul 2 by suffolkpoker |
I think it’s crap. Seeing games like Suadi vs Spain is pointless in a WC finals |
Not sure Saudi fans would agree | | | |
| I have to admit I think this expanded WC format has worked on 06:29 - Jul 3 with 1208 views | muccletonjoe |
It keeps us from noticing the lack of signings |  | | |
| I have to admit I think this expanded WC format has worked on 06:32 - Jul 3 with 1200 views | Blue_Heath |
My only frustration is the kick off times meaning I miss most games due to having to be up early, other than that really enjoyed it. | |
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| I have to admit I think this expanded WC format has worked on 06:37 - Jul 3 with 1185 views | Benters |
I’m loving it,it’s been a fantastic watch,just think there were some on here who reckoned it was going to be crap,even before a ball was kicked. |  |
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| I have to admit I think this expanded WC format has worked on 06:45 - Jul 3 with 1174 views | Joey_Joe_Joe_Junior |
Yep, it’s been class. There’s obviously a couple of sides that aren’t anywhere near the levels with the likes Qatar and Scotland but overall it’s been great to see some of the stories from nations that haven’t been there for decades or making their debut.
In fact, I’d argue some of the more boring teams are the European mid level ones like Sweden and Austria, whereas the African nations have been giving great account of themselves. So a few extra teams from that region has been welcome.
The fact every top player is in form for some of the favorites is also great viewing. The amount of late goals has added loads of drama.
Thought the officiating had been decent but a few dodgy VAR calls seem to have crept in this week. What is great to see is the lack of time wasting, god they used to ruin games. The ball in play must surely be well up.
Overall been a top World Cup to enjoy in the main. [Post edited 3 Jul 6:54]
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| I have to admit I think this expanded WC format has worked on 06:58 - Jul 3 with 1135 views | Nthsuffolkblue |
| I have to admit I think this expanded WC format has worked on 20:50 - Jul 2 by redrickstuhaart |
Disagree.
It has turned out umpteen games in which I have had no real interest. Either between non entities, or ones with a foregone conclusion. Most evenings I have looked at whats on and thought, nahhh. |
"Ones with a foregone conclusion." Like Spain v Cape Verde, Ecuador v Curacao, Belgium v Iran, England v Ghana, Germany v Paraguay, Netherlands v Morocco, England v DR Congo?
One of the things for me has been how the "minor" teams have been far more competitive than I expected. There have been a few convincing one-sided wins but aren't there every World Cup? |  |
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